Looking to buy a 1400 router. I do not have a table either. As I sold my old one. Would like to get the CMS but have a question as it does not have a miter track on the top of it. I have the box joint jig from rockler that I use. It gets mounted in the track. Not sure on which way to go then. Is their another table to will work with the festool routers? Looking for ideas thanks
CMS router table question
- Thread starter Drich
- Start date
The jig has its locking bar on the bottom. You put it in the miter slot on the table and tighten it down so it's centered over the hole and you slide the jig to the bit. With no miter track on the cms table top I was looking for how to make it fasten to it.
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The sliding table on the CMS can not only be locked, as Tom mentioned, but the extents of its sliding can easily be controlled. There are adjustable stops for both extents of travel.
Between the sliding table extents/locking and the possibility of loading multiple "Stop Flags" on the fence of the Miter Sled, the sky's the limit. It's only left to your imagination what can be created...
Tom
Between the sliding table extents/locking and the possibility of loading multiple "Stop Flags" on the fence of the Miter Sled, the sky's the limit. It's only left to your imagination what can be created...
Tom
Looks like you could remove the 3/4" router table slot insert and use two angle brackets to attach the base to the fence of the sliding table on the CMS. Move it into position and then lock the sliding table in place and that might let you use the Rockler jig. The sliding table fence is adjustable in and out and the table fore and aft which should allow you to place the hole over the bit and lock it in place.
I have the Incra box joint jig that I intend to adapt to the CMS sliding table fence in a similar fashion.
Alternatively, you could mount the 1400 router under a home-made router table from 3/4 ply and clamp the router in place under the table and then route a slot in it to use the jig as it was designed.
There is a post on the forum of a 1400 router mounted under a home made with bessey quick release hold down clamps that capture the router in an indent under the table.
Make sense?
neil
I have the Incra box joint jig that I intend to adapt to the CMS sliding table fence in a similar fashion.
Alternatively, you could mount the 1400 router under a home-made router table from 3/4 ply and clamp the router in place under the table and then route a slot in it to use the jig as it was designed.
There is a post on the forum of a 1400 router mounted under a home made with bessey quick release hold down clamps that capture the router in an indent under the table.
Make sense?
neil
sancho57
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here is a nice jig that can be easily adapted to the CMS. This is the one Im planning on building
http://www.woodworkingformeremortals.com/2012/10/simple-box-joint-jig.html
http://www.woodworkingformeremortals.com/2012/10/simple-box-joint-jig.html
Drich said:
If you haven't already purchased the 1400 or want the 1400 and have other routers, you might want to consider investing in a different router table. I'm sure the Festool table is great and is probably the only table which will handle a 1400 router, but there are other great choices for tables out there. I always liked the idea of the sliding table and was planning on getting the Festool table till I did research. After the research I decided to purchase an Incra combo set with table, legs, Incra fences and positioners, router lift, and a PC 7518 router body. Incra now has an under table dust collection shroud for the lift that I believe solves all the dust collection issues for any table when used in combination with the fence mounted collection. The price of the whole thing with the router body was less than just the Festool table (set version). The Incra fence is so versatile that it's worth consideration. There are other table sets out there which are great also, including Excalibur with under table dust collection also. All are less money than the Festool equipment. No sliding table but the other feature in the Incra make the sliding table seem insignificant to me. Just a suggestion for some research before buying. The results I got surprised me and opened up my horizons.
Thanks for the ideas. I would like to have a 1400 to use with the track system and another one for the table. Funds only go so far and just trying to get the best bang for the buck right now. Was looking at a few bench top ones but I feel like it would be wasting money on that. I will look at the one you listed. Is it possible to mount a 1400 to other tables? Don't find much on it. Just a few homemade ones with using the guide rods to hold it.
Drich said:
As far as I know, the router lifts I looked are not designed for Festool routers. You could mount the 1400 to any table but you would not be able to do that with a router lift designed by Jessem or Woodpecker's or the Jessem lift sold by Incra. They can't be adapted for Festool router motors.
For me, though, the issue was accuracy, stability of the table, and dust collection. When I researched the Incra table, positioner, and fences, I found that versatility was also thrown into consideration. There is no question about the accuracy of Incra positioners in my mind. In combination with their fence and, for me, their router lift and a matching motor, the versatility becomes important. Their system can do dovetails, box joints, and all the normal router table tasks. Plus the table is large to help support larger project pieces. Now, with the under table dust box, dust collection should also be superior and, I would say, rival the the OF1400 dust collection. With regard to cost, even with buying the PC7518 motor for use in the lift, the cost of buying the Incra table, was much less than just the Festool CMS alone (not to mention adding a router). Of course, if mobility between jobsites is important, you can't beat the Festool table and, of course, it also has a high level of accuracy, great dust collection, and has it's own wide range of functions. Mine, however, will stay in the workshop and, with wheels on the table, I can move it around to get it out of the way. I'm still assembling, so don't know about function from direct experience. Just suggesting that you look around as there are a lot of choices for less money that may serve the same purpose.
The Rockler jig's only requirement is to be fastened to the router table. It doesnt need the miter slot at all! It doesn't need to be squared up to anything either, just clamped over the bit with the proper spacing to the index bar. It could be at a 45 degree angle to the miter bar and it would still work just fine. All of the needed motion is built into the jig. A couple c-clamps, or Festool clamps, and you are good to go.
grbmds said:
I don't disagree with any of this as I have an Incra positioner with a Woodpecker lift and table holding the big PC router myself. I also have a home-made table with a Router Raiser controlling an Hitachi Router that uses a decked out Jessem fence. Yet I still find myself coveting the CMS 'cause it is so cool. [blink]
That said, I started out with a piece of Melamine shelf with a fixed based Bosch screwed underneath. Back the, I would go out to Pat Warner's website and read his perspective, which is well presented even though I hardly did any of the things he recommends, and glean info from others on a couple different forums until I figured out what way I wanted to go. Even now I often ponder changing things or building yet another setup using different concepts.
I feel every approach is just a variation on a single theme. In the case of the OP he only needs a router with a board for a table to use his jig if he wants to get going and he can develop his own philosophy from there. If he wants to start with an OF1400 I say go for it. Setting the height for box joints would be easy through a test cut or two and he can go to town. If he winds up with a setup like you and I use, he will still have the 1400 for handheld work which still represents a lot of routing. Or if he winds up going the CMS route he will be part way there as well. We both know if he continues woodworking he will have more than one router. [big grin] And, if he's nuts like me he will have more than one table and be thinking about another.
Gary in Texas
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I'm with grbmds on this one. I have the same exact set-up from Incra, awesome design, and the only limit to it's use is your ability. I also have a table I built years ago based on a Nick Engler design utilizing the PC-890 with router lift, and between these two tables, I'm pretty much covered. For dust collection, I use both a shop vac and my 2HP Jet dust collection system, which depending upon the routing application, can keep the dust to a bear minimum.
As I don't need an "on-site" router table, I have no need for a portable CMS type unit. I do have the OF-1400 and OF-1010, and use those for hand held, LR-32, or track applications. But as grbmds mentioned, for the price of the CMS and OF-1400, you can have a router table IMHO that provides far greater usage and benefits than you can achieve with the CMS. Based on cost, you could have a couple of the Incra table set-ups..... Not knocking the CMS, it Is portable and has it's applications, but for my home shop based work, my tables work best for me.
As I don't need an "on-site" router table, I have no need for a portable CMS type unit. I do have the OF-1400 and OF-1010, and use those for hand held, LR-32, or track applications. But as grbmds mentioned, for the price of the CMS and OF-1400, you can have a router table IMHO that provides far greater usage and benefits than you can achieve with the CMS. Based on cost, you could have a couple of the Incra table set-ups..... Not knocking the CMS, it Is portable and has it's applications, but for my home shop based work, my tables work best for me.
Baremeg55 said:
I think the Incra setup which includes everything (and I added the PC7518 router motor so I could dedicate it to the table) was about $400 - $500 less than just the CMS. If you add a 1400 router in there you could go out and almost buy a second table setup. All depends on your need for mobility, but I'd say for accuracy, dust collection, versatility, and price the Incra table wins. I have never been sorry I bought any Incra products - T-rules, drill press table, and a few miscellaneous items.
I did order a 1400 and track guide. I will get the Lr32 plate for doing the peg holes as I have the holy track for the ts55. My question now is has anyone just bought the router plate from the CMS and built their own table? I'm just tossing out ideas. Not sure on the cost of the plate and clamps and would still need a fence. I was reading reviews on it and it seems most people say it kind of shakey. No be hurry on getting one yet as I need a Kapex first.
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